Many of the world's best singers and musicians have from time to time visited New Zealand, operatic companies occasionally tour the colony, and wherever quality and merit have been shown the people have flocked to patronise tl.em. Every town, and almost every village, in the colony possesses some musical organisation, and not a few New Zealand musicians have written works of standard merit which have gained celebrity in the outer world. Nelson has almost from the first been noted for its culture, especially with respect to music and painting, and its School of Music is, architecturally, one of the most attractive buildings in the city. The Nelson Harmonic Society, which possesses an excellent orchestra, holds four concerts each year in the School of Music, and these are justly regarded as the most important musical functions in the city, for the best standard works (both choral and orchestral) are given at them. The Nelson Garrison Band and the Citizens Band occasionally hold open air concerts in the Botanical Gardens.

The Nelson School Of Music (Incorporated) was established in temporary premises in the year 1894, with Herr Michael Balling as its principal. The steady growth of the school soon made it necessary to provide more accommodation, and in 1900 the Trustees, with the assistance of the Harmonic Society, erected the handsome brick building now in use, at a cost of about £5000. The concert hall is capable of seating about five hundred persons in the auditorium, and the platform can accommodate a chorus of 150 members, and an orchestra of forty. Two large class rooms, and four smaller teaching rooms, are attached, and the site will yield further accommodation, as the growth of the school may require it. The object of the school is to provide a thorough musical education, and to foster the love and cultivation of the best music. The more advanced students are permitted to assist in the practices and concerts of the Harmonic Society, and all the pupils are allowed to be present at the practices. During each term about five pupils' retices and concerts of the Harmonic Society, and all the pupils are allowed to be present at the practices. During each term, about five pupils' recitals are held in the concert hall, and only pupils of the school are admitted, but towards the end of each term page 78 a pupils' concert is given, and is open to the public. At both recitals and concerts there is not only solo playing and singing, but also trios, quartets, and ensemble work of all kinds. A library, containing a number of works upon musical subjects, is available for the use of students; and a VirgilClavier Practice is in use at the school, on which pupils are allowed to practice at the discretion of their teachers. The diploma of the school, conferring upon the holder the right to use the letters L.N.S.M. (Licentiate Nelson School of Music) after his or her name, is granted to pupils who (1) have been pupils of the School of Music for the last nine terms; (2) have passed the L.A.B. examinations of the Associated Board; (3) and have passed the Local Centre Senior Examination of the Associated Board in some practical subject with honours. There are three terms in the year, (each of thirteen weeks' duration), which run concurrently with those kept at the Nelson Colleges. The Nelson School of Music is affiliated to the Associated Board, Royal Academy of Music, and Royal College of Music, London, and the teaching staff consists of Herr Julius Lemmer, the principal, violin, orchestral, instrumental and all branches of musical theory; Mrs. Houlker, singing and voice production; Miss S. Duff, L.R.A.M., pianoforte; Miss N. Moore, L.A.B., L.N.S.M., pianoforte; Miss Dora Judson, pianoforte; and Mr. T. C. Webb, A.T.C.L., pianoforte.

Herr Julius Lemmer was appointed Principal of the Nelson School of Music in September, 1899. He was born in 1871, in Altona, Germany, where he received his musical education. In 1892 he left Germany for Sydney, Australia, and after his arrival commenced the teaching of music as a profession. Subsequently he visited Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane, and on returning to Sydney received his present appointment. Herr Lemmer's thorough knowledge of the violin, and of composition and harmony, fits him to fill his position with great credit to himself and advantage to his pupils. He is also conductor of the Harmonic Society, and has lately been appointed instructor of the Nelson Garrison Band. His duties leave him but little time to devote to social affairs, but as a Freemason he is a member of the Victory Lodge, No. 40, New Zealand Constitution.